tracked leaders, went second 4, ridden after next, soon weakened
in touch, went 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, beaten when jumped left last
held up, not fluent to second, ridden when hampered 3 out, took poor 3rd 2 out
chased winner to 4th, ridden after next weakening when jumped right 3 out, tailed off when blundered and rider lost irons last
A shocking race that can be taken by Figaro Du Rocher, with only Armentieres who can really be considered a threat on what we have seen. Figaro Du Rocher comes from the bang in form Martin Pipe yard and ran well for a long way before tiring under top weight at Taunton the other day. His form is consistently much better than all his opponents here and even giving them weight should not pose many problems for him as long as he can run his usual race, so we expect him to make it a pillar to post success. Everything else has to find plenty to trouble him, but if he has an off day then Armentieres can be the one to prosper. John Spearing's filly got a bit of hurdling experience at Huntingdon last month and had another run at Nottingham on the Flat since then, so she should be fit enough to chase home the selection now. However, a win would appear unlikely and Figaro Du Rocher can continue the champion trainer's great run.
